Businesses today are confronted with compliance requirements and regulatory obligations more than ever before. Suspected cases of statutory violations, white-collar crime or internal irregularities can carry significant financial, reputational and criminal consequences in their wake.
A carefully planned and professionally conducted internal investigation is therefore essential in order to clarify and assess the underlying facts, take legal measures and, if necessary, improve the compliance management system. We have many years of experience in designing, conducting and providing legal support for internal investigations.
We support you in clarifying compliance violations, allegations of corruption or other irregularities discreetly and efficiently, always with the aim of protecting your business, management and executives, as well as your employees, from criminal, civil or regulatory consequences as best as possible within the legal framework.
It is of central importance that there be no “investigation for investigation’s sake” – rather, it must always be embedded in an overall strategy for managing the compliance crisis.
The defence strategy must not necessarily always be one of “full cooperation”, it can also entail a determined defence against the allegations in question with all procedural means at our disposal.
Our expertise: a decisive advantage for businesses in internal investigations
Unlike large auditing firms, we not only have experience in internal investigations, but are also familiar with the role of corporate defence counsel and individual defence counsel.
This dual perspective enables us to view internal investigations not only from a compliance perspective, but also from a criminal defence perspective – a decisive advantage for businesses and affected individuals such as managing directors, board members, executives or employees. Furthermore, we have extensive experience in managing compliance crises, for example in settling legal disputes with aggrieved contractual partners or customers. In this context, the so-called ” victim-offender mediation” (Section 46a of the German Criminal Code (StGB)) and the exclusion of confiscation (Section 73e (1) StGB), i.e. “asset recovery”, can be of considerable significance.
Legal support for internal investigations, compliance violations and corporate crises
Investigation of internal suspected cases: investigation of irregularities and criminal offences (e.g. allegations of bribery or fraud).
MeToo investigations: For some time now, the MeToo movement has fundamentally changed the way suspected cases of sexual assault are handled in German businesses, thereby creating a need for action in terms of prevention and investigation of suspected cases. We will gladly advise you on the specifics and pitfalls of these sensitive investigations, which are particularly important for the reputation of the business. Preservation of evidence and legal assessment – Analysis of internal data and documents, taking into account risks under commercial criminal law.
Communication with authorities: Communication and coordination with public prosecutors, supervisory bodies and internal compliance departments.
Risk minimisation and prevention: Development of legally secure measures to avoid future violations with due regard to regulatory requirements.
Strategic legal advice on internal investigations & compliance risks
Internal investigations involve considerable financial and criminal law risks and must therefore be conducted with the utmost care.
Our experience as individual and corporate defence counsel gives us a unique strategic advantage: we know how law enforcement agencies think and act and can identify and minimise risks at an early stage.
Whether you are a business, an executive or employee – we are at your side with our expertise in commercial criminal law, strategic foresight and discreet advice.
Your advantages at a glance
- Comprehensive, interdisciplinary expertise: experience in internal investigations from an in-house perspective and decades of experience as defence counsel for businesses and individuals in commercial and criminal law.
- Open-ended, strategic advice: defence strategies ranging from “full cooperation” to a resolute defence against allegations with all procedural means
- Discreet problem solving: Efficient clarification, legally secure measures and sustainable prevention – always with a view to protecting businesses and their reputation.
